After Hugo Lloris a few days ago, it was Steve Mandanda, 37, who announced his international retirement.
« For me, the France team stops there “. At 37, after 15 years spent in French team (for 35 selections), Steve Mandanda retired from international duty. The 2018 world champion and 2022 vice-world champion goalkeeper will not take advantage of the retirement of Hugo Lloris, announced at the start of the week, to play a few additional matches with the Blues (especially at the end of March, in the Euro 2024 qualifiers).
Mandanda explained his choice at a press conference on Saturday in Rennes: “ It’s a decision that was made for me as soon as the competition ended. (the 2022 World Cup in Qatar). I lived great moments with the France team. It was a privilege and a joy for me to spend all those moments, but today, at 37, I think it’s time, there are young people coming up behind who have a lot of qualities ».
Steve Mandanda announces his international retirement.
“At 37, I think it’s time, there are good young people behind. » pic.twitter.com/VJH4PjqsoC
—Clement Gavard (@Clem_Gavv) January 14, 2023
The most capped player in the history of OM is happy to “ closing the loop with Hugo “, after having started with the now ex-number 1 and captain of the France team. ” We started together (in 2008), we finish together. I don’t have the same number of caps he has, but I’ve been through a lot with him “Launches Mandanda, before concluding:” There is a lot of pride, a lot of emotions, it was with great pleasure that I experienced all that ».
